# mitem_new 3x

    mitem_new(3x)                                             mitem_new(3x)

## NAME

           mitem_new - create and destroy menu items

## SYNOPSIS

           #include <menu.h>
           ITEM *new_item(const char *name, const char *description);
           int free_item(ITEM *item);

## DESCRIPTION

           The function new_item allocates a new item and initializes
           it  from  the name and description pointers. Please notice
           that the item stores only the pointers  to  the  name  and
           description. Those pointers must be valid during the life-
           time of the item. So you should be very careful with names
           or descriptions allocated on the stack of some routines.
           The function free_item de-allocates an item. Please notice
           that it  is  the  responsibility  of  the  application  to
           release  the memory for the name or the description of the
           item.

## RETURN VALUE

           The function new_item returns  NULL  on  error.   It  sets
           errno according to the function's failure:

           E_BAD_ARGUMENT
                Routine  detected  an incorrect or out-of-range argu-
                ment.

           E_SYSTEM_ERROR
                System error occurred, e.g., malloc failure.

           The function free_item returns one of the following:

           E_OK The routine succeeded.

           E_BAD_ARGUMENT
                Routine detected an incorrect or  out-of-range  argu-
                ment.

           E_CONNECTED
                Item is connected to a menu.

           E_SYSTEM_ERROR
                System error occurred (see errno).

## SEE ALSO

           curses(3x), menu(3x).

## NOTES

           The header file <menu.h> automatically includes the header
           file <curses.h>.

## PORTABILITY

           These routines emulate the System V  menu  library.   They
           were not supported on Version 7 or BSD versions.

## AUTHORS

           Juergen  Pfeifer.   Manual  pages  and  adaptation for new
           curses by Eric S. Raymond.

                                                              mitem_new(3x)